Finding the Perfect Apartment, A Student's Advice – Raleigh, NC

Students need a place to live. With another summer marching along, you're most likely apartment hunting for a new place. But, you are joined by a host of students searching for an apartment around Raleigh, NC before classes resume in the fall.

That means your window to secure a new apartment is always shrinking. University towns often have super competitive rental markets, so the best flats often go to the most diligent students -- those who start early, come prepared and don't get discouraged. Stay ahead of the competition with these helpful apartment hunting tips to make the quest for finding that perfect pad as painless and straightforward as possible.

General Prep

Remember that the longer you put things off, the more likely you'll have to make a desperate decision. Finding the right apartment in Garner, NC to live in should be your top priority. And while that means scanning all the directories, using your social networks, and hitting the streets, it also means getting prepared. Each time you visit a property, you should come with your CV, proof of employment or enrollment, letters of recommendation, and a check.

Rent and Amenities

You're likely on a budget. Figure out what apartment amenities you need. You should be looking for a fair rent with as much included as possible, and enough of the things you actually need to stay happy: enough natural light, quiet, warmth, and space. Tour the area: what's the neighborhood like? Walk around and get a real sense of the community and environment, and don't be fooled by flash or a landlord pressuring you to sign as quickly as possible.

Rights and Security

This brings us to possibly the most important consideration -- your safety. Knowing your rights is paramount -- students are routinely exploited for their lack of legal understanding. Make sure you do your research. You can get a sense of what kind of landlord you're dealing with by asking around: speak with potential neighbors about noise, repairs, safety, and other issues. Often this will give you a clear picture of how things actually run in the building.

Location

One of the most important pieces of advice is to find a place as close to campus as possible. The best student rental housing directories can help you narrow your search to appropriate intersections, and give you extra perks like "walk scores" for local amenities. But this isn't just for the sake of convenience (though obviously being able to get to class in five minutes is a huge perk), but for three vital reasons.

First, this will save you on spending more than you need to on public transportation, gas and auto bills, or even emergency cab rides; in a related sense, it can save you on always dining out, as there's bound to be a grocery store close to campus. Second, living within walking distance means you're pumping your legs (or riding your bike) on a daily basis, so even if you run out of time for the gym, you're still getting some much needed exercise. Third, your proximity will curtail your urge to sleep in and skip classes. Inclement weather and early mornings are much worse with an hour-long commute factored in.